,NSG 316 Exam 4 Health Assessment Questions And Answers
2026/2027 Grand
canyon university
Q1. Which position is generally most appropriate for an abdominal
assessment?
A. Supine with the abdomen relaxed
B. Prone with the arms overhead
C. Standing with the knees flexed
D. Trendelenburg
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The supine position with appropriate support helps relax the
abdominal muscles and provides access to the abdomen.
Q2. Which action should the nurse take before beginning an
abdominal examination?
A. Ask the client to empty the bladder.
B. Give a large meal.
C. Position the client prone.
D. Have the client perform abdominal exercises.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: An empty bladder improves comfort and reduces interference
with abdominal assessment.
Q3. Which sequence is correct for abdominal assessment?
A. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
B. Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
C. Auscultation, palpation, inspection, percussion
D. Palpation, percussion, auscultation, inspection
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The abdomen is assessed in the order of inspection, auscultation,
percussion, and palpation because palpation can alter bowel activity.
**Q4. Why is auscultation performed before percussion and palpation during
an abdominal assessment?
, A. Manipulation of the abdomen can alter bowel sounds.
B. Palpation improves hearing of bowel sounds.
C. Percussion eliminates bowel sounds.
D. Inspection cannot be performed afterward.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Percussion and palpation can stimulate intestinal activity and
potentially change the sounds being assessed.
**Q5. Where should the nurse generally begin auscultating bowel sounds?
A. Right lower quadrant
B. Left upper quadrant
C. Left lower quadrant
D. Epigastric region only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The right lower quadrant is commonly assessed first because the
ileocecal region is an active area for bowel sounds.
**Q6. How should the stethoscope diaphragm be applied when listening for
bowel sounds?
A. Lightly
B. With firm pressure
C. With deep palpation
D. Only over the umbilicus
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Light pressure minimizes stimulation of intestinal activity during
auscultation.
**Q7. Which finding is expected during abdominal auscultation?
A. Intermittent gurgling sounds
B. Continuous loud friction sounds
C. Complete absence of sounds immediately after placing the stethoscope
D. Loud bruits in every quadrant
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Normal bowel sounds are intermittent gurgling or clicking sounds
produced by movement of intestinal contents.
2026/2027 Grand
canyon university
Q1. Which position is generally most appropriate for an abdominal
assessment?
A. Supine with the abdomen relaxed
B. Prone with the arms overhead
C. Standing with the knees flexed
D. Trendelenburg
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The supine position with appropriate support helps relax the
abdominal muscles and provides access to the abdomen.
Q2. Which action should the nurse take before beginning an
abdominal examination?
A. Ask the client to empty the bladder.
B. Give a large meal.
C. Position the client prone.
D. Have the client perform abdominal exercises.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: An empty bladder improves comfort and reduces interference
with abdominal assessment.
Q3. Which sequence is correct for abdominal assessment?
A. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
B. Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
C. Auscultation, palpation, inspection, percussion
D. Palpation, percussion, auscultation, inspection
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The abdomen is assessed in the order of inspection, auscultation,
percussion, and palpation because palpation can alter bowel activity.
**Q4. Why is auscultation performed before percussion and palpation during
an abdominal assessment?
, A. Manipulation of the abdomen can alter bowel sounds.
B. Palpation improves hearing of bowel sounds.
C. Percussion eliminates bowel sounds.
D. Inspection cannot be performed afterward.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Percussion and palpation can stimulate intestinal activity and
potentially change the sounds being assessed.
**Q5. Where should the nurse generally begin auscultating bowel sounds?
A. Right lower quadrant
B. Left upper quadrant
C. Left lower quadrant
D. Epigastric region only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The right lower quadrant is commonly assessed first because the
ileocecal region is an active area for bowel sounds.
**Q6. How should the stethoscope diaphragm be applied when listening for
bowel sounds?
A. Lightly
B. With firm pressure
C. With deep palpation
D. Only over the umbilicus
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Light pressure minimizes stimulation of intestinal activity during
auscultation.
**Q7. Which finding is expected during abdominal auscultation?
A. Intermittent gurgling sounds
B. Continuous loud friction sounds
C. Complete absence of sounds immediately after placing the stethoscope
D. Loud bruits in every quadrant
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Normal bowel sounds are intermittent gurgling or clicking sounds
produced by movement of intestinal contents.
